Brief Introduction To My Review

I am a new golfer, but I’ve recently been very fond of it. At first, it started as simply going out with my friends to the golf course and trying out different obstacles at a time, just for leisure. After a few months, I bought my own equipment and started playing on my own. It’s fun. Golf has been my comfort zone ever since.

However, being the newbie that I am, I am very reliant on slope calculations. I first purchased a rangefinder with slope-calculating features. Eventually, my friends had encouraged me to start joining tournaments. This was a good idea, especially for my competitive spirit. This is also when I purchased my Bushnell Tour X Rangefinder. I’ve only used it for barely 3 months and 1 tournament now.

Bushnell Tour X Rangefinder

I’d like to share my thoughts on it. To start off, I regret that I had not bought it earlier. I think it’s a waste of money that I have such a multi-purpose rangefinder, and another one specialized in working with slopes. Since I only use it for golfing and I started joining tournaments now, I rarely have the chance to use my older rangefinder.

I’d like to share more of my thoughts on this device with you on the following paragraphs. But before that, let me give you a summary of the features that this device boasts of.

What are the Benefits?

This rangefinder’s slope features could be turned on and off, depending on your purpose. It’s legal for tournaments, but could also be used for practicing slope estimation during times that one isn’t playing in the field. It also boasts of dual display technology that allows the user to switch between bright red display for low-light environments and black display for bright daylight use. This has a pinseeker equipped with JOLT technology that gives notifications once it focuses on a flag. It also gives faster and more accurate yardages with its 2nd generation ESP and 6x magnification that could range between 5 and 1,300 yards.

How’s about its Features?

This rangefinder has 1.5 x 4 x3 in dimensions and weighs around 8 ounces. It is powered by a 3-volt Lithium CR-2, and offers extra-long eye relief with its fully multi-coated lens, 16mm exit pupil, and 393ft field of view.

As already mentioned, it is fully equipped with Dual Display Technology, pinseeker, and JOLT Technology that allows comfort, accurate, and fast calculations for the user.

Lastly, its slope calculating features can be turned on and off depending on the user’s needs. This is especially useful for tournaments and practicing, as you don’t need another rangefinder for practicing with slopes and a separate one for tournaments. This totally kills two birds with one stone.

Pros

This rangefinder is light, accurate, and fast. It has a good size that fits my hands perfectly, and a hand clasp that makes handling it easy. Battery life is good, and could last for about 10-12 rounds on me.

The highlight of this rangefinder is it is equipped with various types of technology that make rangefinding easier. It isn’t hard to manipulate and could be good for almost all purposes that I could use a rangefinder for.

Bushnell Tour X Rangefinder

Since this is especially for golfing, what I like most about this is its slope technology that could be turned on and off. That’s a big plus, especially since most people before have to have two sets of rangefinders; one for slope calculating and one especially for tournaments. It might seem pricey, but considering its versatility, if you’re one who would be able to maximize such features, it’s a really good buy.

It has a lot of features. For example, it could change the display from red to black depending on the ligh conditions. Also, the red plate gives two figures at the same time; the vertical slope and the yardage adjusted. Ideally, it also is good for my shaky hands. It isn’t hard to focus on the flag once it finds it. It works fast on the yardage results too!

The Bushnell Sport 850 is an affordable, accurate line-of-sight rangefinder without any fuss or weight – it’s light, incredibly easy to use, and it does what you need it to do quickly, reliably, and without you having to invest an arm and a leg. Perfect for tournament usage, or just general golf play, it’s a rugged rangefinder with a great grip and nearly 900 yard range.

It’s not my favorite rangefinder, but it’s definitely a recommended piece for anyone just starting out, especially if they’re unsure what to go with.

​

The Bushnell Sport 850 has got everything you want – it’s small, easily gripped, operates on a single button that gives you accurate line-of-sight readings of up to 850 yards (as you might have guessed from the name of the model) and it uses an eye-safe laser for its readings."

Bill Smith Fardevice Admin

Features

Some people might say it’s lacking in magnification with only 4 times magnification – but I find that that’s more than enough. Any more than that and the image would get too shaky, especially since this model doesn’t have image stabilization. Just like most high-quality Bushnell products, and rangefinders in general, it’s rainproof.

It’s got a vertical design, instead of a horizontal one, making it even easier to grip in a single hand. I’ve heard people complain about its holster being too flimsy, but since I usually just keep my rangefinder in my back pocket, it’s never bothered me.

Benefits

The Bushnell Sport 850 is perfect for beginners – anyone who hasn’t ever owned a rangefinder before and is looking into getting one should check out the 850 first. That’s what it was designed for – being an affordable, yet reliable option that does what a good rangefinder is supposed to do, without extras or surprises.

Basic range distance, basic magnification, good grip, compact size and design, and just a single button to interface with, making it an incredibly easy tool to work with.

Although designed more for golfing, it can be a hunter or archer’s companion as well. That versatility, combines with its price, means Bushnell succeeded in making an entry-level affordable rangefinder that isn’t absolutely worthless.

Pros

It’s affordable, yet high-quality. A rare example in the world of rangefinders.

Durable and compact, easy to grip and even easier to use – perfect for first-time owners of a rangefinder.

​Although some might say that its low magnification and range is a con, for its price it’s quite the pro.

Cons

It’s tough to work with at long distances due to the lack of any image stabilization, and unlike more expensive rangefinders, it isn’t designed explicably to hit golfing pins. Still, with some practice it isn’t too tough to use.

​Battery life isn’t exactly substantial.

Being a laser rangefinder, it’s hard to get the range of a dark object because it doesn’t reflect the rangefinder’s laser very well. This makes the rangefinder less than ideal for hunting darker prey, especially in heavy foliage.

Conclusion

The Bushnell Sport 850 is an entry-level rangefinder – but it isn’t something I’d recommend if you’re looking to seriously invest in your hobby. The cons don’t seem too major, but over time these minor nuisances become more and more of a hindrance. Still, if you’re only in need of a rangefinder occasionally, then it’ll be better to grab this model and save a lot of money, instead of in need of a rangefinder.

For golfing, the main gripe users will discover is that it can be really tough to hit the posts and pins past a certain yardage, even with magnification, simply because of the lack of image stabilization. It’s also hard to get a stable range reading when you can’t consistently hit your target, made worse by the fact that this rangefinder doesn’t have continuous reading capabilities.

To hunters, the main gripe would probably be the fact that the rangefinder doesn’t pick up on darker objects quite as much, making it tough to get an accurate reading on a mark with brown, black or otherwise dark fur. But, To hunters, it’s still probably the best line-of-sight laser rangefinder you can get nowadays.

Average rangefinders are plagued by a simple line of curses – mediocre durability, and unreliability. Sadly, these are the two things you want most in a rangefinder, and they also tend to be the things that tend to be rarest.

Which is why this is an exciting find. The Bushnell Medalist rangefinder brings a pretty nifty benefit with its price – total accuracy. And not just of the short-ranged kind – I’ve seen friends with a steady hand manage to hit a pin on the field at 600 yards in the first two tries; that’s over half a kilometer.

Features

Bushnell Medalist Rangefinder

The Bushnell Medalist enjoys a good number of features. Firstly, it’s got the awesome usefulness of great magnification, an HQ LCD display, a total range of about 1,000 yards, and compact size. The thing doesn’t just fit in my hand, it slips into my pocket without a problem. Despite the screen and long battery life, it’s also rainproof – although admittedly, I haven’t had the chance to test that yet.

The magnification level on the Bushnell Medalist rangefinder goes up to 4 times – meaning you get a lot of viewing distance in such a tiny package. And tiny as it may be, it’s also really comfortable. The slick rubberized grip makes it easy to hold, so there’s really no hassle at all with using it.

Benefits

Aside from its superficial benefits, battery life and screen, note that this is just a regular rangefinder, mostly for golfing. It’s designed to hit the reflective edges of pins on the course, so you know exactly how far away your next target is going to be. It isn’t, however, the kind of rangefinder you usually take with you on a hunt. It won’t account for bullet or arrow drop, and neither will it try to. However, that’s to be expected – such rangefinders would cost you a lot more than a Bushnell Medalist rangefinder, and with some practice and intuition, this will do you just fine on most occasions.

Pros

An immediate pro is the amount of features the Bushnell Medalist boasts in its price range.

It’s got a great battery life, with newer iterations of the Medalist carrying a 9-volt battery.

It’s highly accurate, and excellent on the golf course with its pin seeker mode.

It’s compact and easy to grip, making it a very comfortable rangefinder without seeming too flimsy.

4 times magnification and an LCD display for more accurate readings – and on top of all that, it’s rainproof.

Cons

It’s incredibly sensitive. This means that you have to be careful, as sometimes its laser will hit the edge of a grass helm or stick, or some other hazard, and give you an inaccurate reading. Make sure you’re hitting the right target, and if you’re feeling unsure, try and get a second and third reading.

It doesn’t target hills, only trees, pins, poles, etc. It’s specifically designed for pins, the ones with reflective qualities, and the rangefinder comes with two modes – one designed specifically for pin seeking, and a regular mode.

Protip: try to shake the rangefinder gently so the laser recognizes the reflective pin, so you get the most accurate reading.

It’s not a ballistic rangefinders, so some hunters might be disappointed with this rangefinder’s, well, range of capabilities. For its price, however, it does just fine – better even.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a feature-rich, accurate and durable rangefinder for your golfing hobbies, then the Bushnell Medalist rangefinder is an excellent choice. It does as advertised – it gives you accurate numbers to at least 600 yards, and apparently can range all the way to 1,000 yards at most, it hits pins accurately and easily without you having to have an extremely steady hand, and it’s pretty easy to use and stow away.

Keep in mind that it’s also very sensitive, and it’s limited to ranging pins, trees, poles and such – which can be both a benefit and detrimental, depending on the situation. Most of the time, you don’t want to accidentally try to get the range for the hill-side, but there are times when you’d like to. If you don’t mind these things, then this is most probably the product for you.

Although I consider myself a novice rifle hunter, I still consider the quality of my key items for the hunt. With a Mossberg 464 Lever Action rifle, I don’t believe in spending for extra unwanted features. Sticking to the basic and really getting value for money is what dictates my shopping habits. Besides my rifle scope, I’ve been thinking about upgrading my shooting skills with a handheld rangefinder. A few times during hunting season, I was able to borrow a buddy’s Wildgame Innovations Halo XRT Laser Rangefinder. It got the job done and I was able to hit still targets at a furious pace.

Features of the Chuck Adams BowHunter

Measures LOS from 5 to 850 yards

According to Bushnell, the BowHunter can attain line-of-sight (LOS) ranges up to 850 yards. That’s perfect for my long range shooting especially with a ranging accuracy of -/+ 1 yard. I also found out that this rangefinder caters to both bow hunting and rifle shooting although it specializes mostly with the bow and arrow.

Bushnell BowHunter Chuck Adams

Includes Bushnell’s ARC technology

Bushnell’s Angle Range Compensation (ARC) is ideal for shooting at angled slopes adjusting the range displayed based on your standing position. So whether you’re hunting a deer from a tree or from an elevated/ depressed terrain, the BowHunter compensates the angle for you and provides you the true distance from 5 to 99 yards.

LCD Display

All measurements (range and angle) are simultaneously flashed on the through-the-lens LCD display. So you can see through the lens and hit the “fire” button at the same time to achieve the range of an object.

Benefits of the Chuck Adams BowHunter

Has a built-in inclinometer

Apart from displaying LOS measurement and true distance, the BowHunter also shows the user the angle of elevation/ depression thanks to its internal inclinometer. With an angle range of -90 to + 90 degrees and an accuracy of -/+ 1 degree, this hand in hand with the ARC technology provides a precise measurement of the target.

Up to 4 times magnification

The Bushnell Chuck Adams BowHunter provides up to 4 times magnification. This is best intended for long range hunting and shooting. I find the 4x magnification ideal since it allows the hunter to focus on the target without being overwhelmed by the zoom.

Easy on the eye

With multicoated optics, the BowHunter is versatile in diverse environments. This is especially apparent when it is particularly sunny outside. The Bushnell Chuck Adams rangefinder doesn’t have any problems with glare. Also the laser is a Class 1 beam (FDA approved) which is safe for the eyes.

Pros of the Chuck Adams BowHunter

Accurate even in diverse terrain

I’ve tried ranging this and the farthest I got was 800 yards on flat land. It was spot on. But do keep in mind that it’s best to range nearby objects first to determine the distance of your actual target. I usually range a tree in front of and behind my target to estimate a measurement. The ARC technology has been praised in reviews and it is just as accurate as the flat land ranging capability of the BowHunter.

Compact and portable

With a dimension of 1.4 x 2.9 x 3.8 inches, the BowHunter is easy to slip in and out of your jacket pocket or hip belt. At 5.3 ounces, it is lightweight and portable. I hardly felt it in my pants pocket when hunting.

Durable

Another very handy feature of the BowHunter is it rainproof outer casing. I have also read in reviews that this little device can withstand a fall of 15 feet and still work fine.

Cons of the Chuck Adams BowHunter

Problematic in low light conditions

Like almost all rangefinders, the BowHunter is troublesome at low light conditions. I attribute this to the black font displayed on the LCD screen. It may be visible on a sunny day but during overcast it can be a peeve. Also I noticed that the rangefinder stops performing in heavy fog. I do not recommend you use this in foggy environments. I don’t recommend hunting either.

Conclusion

Overall the Bushnell Chuck Adams BowHunterhas my vote. Despite a few knicks in low light conditions, it is still very accurate. The ARC technology is a huge plus to the serious hunter. I would recommend this especially for bowhunting.

With hunting season coming up, a laser rangefinder becomes more than just another shooting accessory. It is a necessity for effective hunting. Sure, a rifle scope can provide magnification and an estimated range but for a quick and accurate measurement, a good laser rangefinder is a must. And if you’re not happy with shooting in flat terrain, a diverse topography calls for specialization. And although it is possible to calculate for the true horizontal distance of a target based on the terrain angle, swiftness is a key characteristic in hunting. You want that measurement as quickly and as accurately as possible.

This is why I usually look for rangefinders with a form of angle compensation. The Bushnell line usually has this option even if it does cost a lot more. I normally wouldn’t purchase the Angle Range Compensation or ARC technology of Bushnell for golf or target shooting but for bow and gun hunting, it seems necessary. I’ve tried the Bushnell Chuck Adams BowHunter and found it satisfactory so I borrowed another Bushnell device from a friend when I was training. He lent me his new Bushnell Scout 1000 with ARC Technology. Here’s how it fared so far.

Bushnell Scout 1000 ARC Laser Range Finder

Beneficial Features of the Bushnell Scout 1000

Built-in ARC Technology

I’ve already told you that the ARC technology measures the line of sight yardage and considers the angle of elevation/ depression when calculating distances. What you get is the true horizontal distance displayed as the “shoots-like” distance on the screen. No need for further manual calculations in your noggin.

Features Bow Mode and Rifle Mode

Although I rarely used the Bow Mode, it can range up to 99 yards which is pretty distant for bow hunting. On Rifle Mode however, this baby can range up to 800 yards and at times even up to 850 yards. The advertisement says up to 1000 yards but I find that too idealistic. Also in this mode, bullet drop is compensated for in the measurement and holdover mode is in inches.

Bow Mode

Offers Scan, Bulls Eye and Brush Mode

Isn’t this overkill? Not at all. I love how Bushnell created situation-specific modes to cover your hunting needs realistically. On Scan Mode, you simply hold down the button and the device continually updates your yardage. Now, for shorter ranges and smaller targets like prairie dogs, the Bulls Eye Mode ranges closer distances. And on Brush Mode, you are able to are through cover (i.e. a set of trees) and gives you readings of background objects which I use as a point of comparison.

Pros of the Bushnell Scout 1000

Very accurate readings

The Scout 1000 is an intelligent little device that thinks for itself. When I want the range of a target that’s further off but is obstructed by a bunch of trees or rocky terrain, it automatically provides me with the measurement of the more distant object. It does the same for closer targets and gives me the range of the object nearer to me. It also accurately measures both line of sight and true horizontal distance up to 800-850 yards.

A closer look at Bushnell Scout 1000 ARC Laser Range Finder

Rainproof body and lens

The Scout 1000 is layered with a Rainguard HD lens coating which makes it withstand rain, sleet, fog and snow. It also surprisingly provides a crisp image in low light conditions and despite the direct glare of sunlight. With a waterproof case to some degree, the Scout 1000 is your all-terrain, all-weather rangefinder.

Compact and easy to use

Weighing less than 7 ounces, the Scout 1000 is light weight and can be easily carried in your hip belt or jacket pocket. It’s slim, vertical design allows easy use and storage. Its ergonomic design allows for a more stable grip as well while the single operational button cuts out any complications I dislike in a laser rangefinder.

Cons of the Bushnell Scout 1000

Awkward lanyard

A minor disadvantage but for the nit pickers, the lanyard or neckstrap could be a problem. I don’t know how anyone is supposed to wear it so I gave up entirely and placed another one altogether.

A bit pricey

You literally get what you pay for. If your budget is within the $100 range, forget it and look at another brand like Simmons or Halo. But if you want angle compensation and all that, be ready to dish out an extra $100-$150 for this device.

Conclusion

All in all, I am impressed with the Bushnell Scout 1000. It is accurate, fast and versatile. I think this device will prove very useful in our next hunting trip. I would definitely recommend this to any serious hunter who may want to upgrade their laser rangefinders.

FarDevice.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Certain content that appears on this website comes from Amazon.com. This content is provided ‘as is’ and is subject to change or removal at any time without prior notice.